If they are fit and on form, Paulo Bento's team could have a successful tournament. Up front they can match the best teams in Europe, but defence may prove trickier
This article is part of the Guardian's Euro 2012 Experts' Network, a co-operation between 16 of the best media organisations from the countries who have qualified for the finals in Poland and Ukraine. guardian.co.uk is running previews from two countries each day in the runup to the tournament kicking off on 8 June.
The tactics
Paulo Bento's preferred formation is 4-3-3 with a twist in midfield. As Portugal do not have a natural playmaker at the moment, Bento normally uses three box-to-box midfielders in the middle, who swap places constantly.
Rui Patrício has had a superb season domestically and in the Europa League and will be the first choice in goal ahead of Eduardo (Benfica), who has not played for his club. The 24-year-old Sporting keeper Patrício has reached a level of maturity which allows him to travel to Ukraine and Poland with a lot of confidence. One save from this season stands out, when he denied Joe Hart in the last minute against Manchester City to take his team through to the next round in the Europa League at the expense of City.
The defence may be Bento's Achilles heel this summer. On the right, the coach has decided to do without the services of Chelsea's José Bosingwa after falling out with the defender. According to the coach, Bosingwa said he was injured so that he did not have to play in a friendly for Portugal, and he has not been called up since.
The 28-year-old Sporting defender João Pereira is the current holder of the right-back slot. He is a good player but has a suspect temperament, and has struggled to keep his anger in check domestically. For Portugal, he has been much better and has magnificent technique. He is a bit of a wild card.
In central defence, Bento has lost another player after a dispute. Ricardo Carvalho, after realising that he would lose his place to Pepe, walked out of training and has yet to return. Bento swears that the former Chelsea player will not play for Portugal again during his time in charge. So the two central places will go to Pepe and Zenit's 30-year-old stalwart Bruno Alves. They know each other well from their time at Porto and the only concern is that they are sometimes unnecessarily tough in their game. That could result in red cards. Carvalho's absence, meanwhile, is a huge blow to Bento as his presence at times allowed Pepe to play in defensive midfield.
On the left, Fábio Coentrão is the undisputed No1 choice and Portugal have great hopes for the Real Madrid utility man this summer.
In midfield, without players who are particularly attacking or defensive, Bento normally chooses three men who can all play a central role and create a triangle together. Chelsea's Raul Meireles often appears as the more defensive of the three despite not being physically imposing. João Moutinho (25 years, FC Porto) and Carlos Martins (29 years, Granada) are even shorter than Meireles and the lack of height could be a problem for Bento's team this summer. However, they are all technically very gifted and this offers Bento great fluidity. When Carlos Martins is lacking match fitness, Bento often opts for Miguel Veloso (25 years, Genoa), a left-sided player with more defensive characteristics who can help out Meireles.
Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani are two world class players and here Portugal can match the best teams in Europe, if not the world. If they are fit and on form, Bento's team could have a successful tournament. However, the central striker position is a worry. Hélder Postiga (29 years, Zaragoza) has played better for the national team than for his clubs and is the favourite to start, but he is hardly world-class. The Besiktas striker Hugo Almeida is the alternative.
Portugal try to play nice football under Paulo Bento – and often succeed with their aim. The strategy is to rely on the movement of the ball between the three midfielders and Nani. Ronaldo has a free role to be able to create chances with a lot of support, especially from Coentrão. With Nani and Ronaldo on the wings, a midfielder usually appears on the edge of the box, ready to shoot, when the two wingers decide to pass. This midfielder is often Carlos Martins and/or Raul Meireles, two players with powerful shots. João Moutinho is the brain of the team and rarely misses a pass.
Who is the player who is going to surprise everyone at the Euros?
Rui Patrício. One of the few that still plays in the Portuguese League, the young Sporting goalkeeper has had a great season and some great performances in the Europa League. Not well known outside Portugal but with huge potential.
Who is the player who is going to disappoint the most?
João Pereira. Also a Sporting player, he is the No1 solution at right back. The big problem is trying to have him fully focused on the game, not on the opponent. At club level, he tends to be over-agressive and can lose control easily.
What is the realistic aim for your team at the Euros and why?
Getting out of the group. If we do that, winning the cup. Portugal shares a group with Germany and Holland, two favourites. Also with Denmark, who topped our group in the qualification phase. Worst perspective, we don't make it. Best perspective, we beat Holland and Denmark, gain confidence and only stop when Ronaldo lifts the cup.
Vítor Hugo Alvarenga is senior football writer for Maisfutebol Read More
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